Neo-Nazi admits plot to target Jewish schoolchildren with poisoned sweets

What Chkhikvishvili didn't know was that the prospective recruit was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent.

According to CNN, prosecutors said that, for the past year, Chkhikvishvili had been instructing accomplices via text to commit heinous acts, as well as bragging about how he had beaten up an elderly Jewish man.

Prosecutors also said that he had spoken of his wish to cause a mass casualty event in the US. He also reportedly professed that he chose the US due to its "big potential" as a result of the easy access to guns in some states.

They added that he initially wanted to target homeless people because the government "wouldn't care if they die".

He was arrested in 2024 and pleaded guilty on Monday to both soliciting hate crimes and distributing information on how to make bombs and the chemical toxin ricin.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “The outstanding investigative work in this case saved untold lives and underscores the crucial behind-the-scenes activity of our federal law enforcement agents.

“Violent, nihilistic, racist groups like these are an ongoing threat to the American people - our vigilance will not waver as we protect our citizens.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said: “With [Monday’s] guilty plea, this defendant admits to a horrific plot targeting Jewish people and racial minorities and even planned to poison children with candy around the holidays.

"The defendant was extradited from Moldova to face charges. This case shows once more that no matter where you are, if you try to harm our citizens, the FBI and our partners will find you and bring you to justice.”

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg, added: “Chkhikvishvili’s monstrous plots and propaganda calling for racially motivated violence against civilians, including children, posed a grave threat to public safety."

Chkhikvishvili, in his role as head of the murderous Maniac Murder cult, has also been accused of inspiring multiple killings around the world.

According to the Department of Justice, in January, a 17-year-old student killed one individual and injured another before dying by suicide inside Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee. The attacker livestreamed part of the incident.

Prior to the attack, in an audio recording posted online and attributed to him, the attacker claimed he was taking action on behalf of Maniac Murder Cult and at least one other group.

And, in August last year, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing five people outside of a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, while wearing a tactical vest bearing Nazi symbols.

A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and to violent statements made by him.

Eisenberg, referencing those who have already fallen victim, said: "Unfortunately, his efforts on behalf of the aptly named Maniac Murder Cult in fact caused mayhem and death.

"We condemn his despicable ideology and will use every tool at our disposal to bring such predators to justice.”

US Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr echoed these comments, saying: "His incitement of hate crimes resulted in real-world violence.

"This prosecution shows that our Office will protect all communities from evildoers like the defendant from wherever they spew their hate."

Prosecutors are saying they will seek a sentence of up to 18 years and the DoJ says his sentence will carry a maximum term of 40 years.